Cable shearing mechanism



April 25, 1933- H. A. sTRlNGFELLow CABLE SHEARING MECHANISM Filed Dec.3l, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l L HZ .AST-findlaw,

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l f l Afb/- April 25, 1933- H. A. sTRlNGFELLow CABLE SHEARING MECHANISMNVENTOR:

Patented Apr. 25, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE HENRY A.BTBDTGFELLOW', 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 SOUTH- WABIFGUNDBY di MACHINE COMPANY, 0F EDDYSTONL, PENNSYLVANIA, A COB- POBATIONOF PENNSYLVANIA CABLE SHEARING IEUHANISII Application led December 31,1930. Serial No. 505,838.

My invention relates to cutting or shearing mechanism and the object ofmy invention is to provide simple and efficient means for shearing heavywire rope or cable.

A further object of my invention is to provide such shear. mechanismwith a plurality of clamping devices disposed on opposite sides of theshear blades; one of said clamping devices serving as a fixed elementduring the shearing action and engaging the portion of cable from whicha length is being sheared.

A further object of my invention is to provide a form of movable clampmade up of a plurality of movable jaw members which may be placed inclamping position with respect to the section of cable to be shearedfrom the main section; certain of said movable jaw clamping membersbeing carried by levers which are detachably connected together by alink that may be opened or displaced for the positioning of the cable orrope to be cut, and one of said jaw members being actuated by fluidpressure means.

A still further object of my invention is to provide means whereby saidmovable clamp may be moved by or with the shear mechanism carrying themoving shear blade so that the section of cable or rope being shearedwill be positively moved as it is being sheared whereby a cut at a rightangle to the axis of the rope or cable may be made and avoid thedislocation of the individual wires of the strands which make up suchrope or cable and which are usually distorted and tend to basket whenwire rope or cable is sheared in the usual manner.

And a still further objectI of my invention is to provide filling piecesor inserts for the body of the cable, which lling pieces are wedge shapein cross-section and are adapted to lie in the grooves or spaces betweenthe strands of the rope or cable on that portion of the latter held bythe clamps, (and in some instances at the point of cutting) thuspermitting the develo ment of a more uniform pressure aroun the separatestrands and holding the rope or cable more rmly in the clamps and at theoint where the cooperating s ear blades e ect the desired cut.

These and other features of my invention are more fully describedhereinafter; reference be1ng had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of shearing mechanism within thescope of my invention, showing the movable clamp in the closed position.

Fig. 2 -a sectional elevation on the line II-II, Fig. 3, of the meansfor closing the movable clamp; the latter being shown in the openposition.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the shearing mechanisin on a shghtly largerscale.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation on the line 65 IV-.IV, Fig. 3, on thesame scale as Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view on the line a'VTi-V, Fig. 3, on thesame scale as Fig. 1,

Figs 6, 7 and 8 are views illustrating a de- 7o tail of my invention.

In the cutting of heavy cable and rope made from wire great difficultyis encountered because of the nature of the material operated upon. Thewires making up the str ands of the cable individually tend to untwistas soon as severed resulting in what is known as basketing.

Up to the present time it has not been possible to shear heavy wire ropeor cable at a right angle to the axis of the same, for several reasons.In the first place it has been diflicult and relatively impossible toSecure sufficient clamping pressure to hold the rope or cable whilebeing sheared. Secondly, on account of the twist put in the rope when itis made, the individual wires of the respective strands slip and untwistin the cutting operation. As a result of these conditions all attemptsto make square cuts through heavy cable or rope of wire result indiagonal cuts with the ends of the individual wires splayed and ragged.

In the improved mechanism which I have devised I employ a fixed and amovable shear blade ofmore or less usual type, with which a fixed clampand a movable clamp for the wire rope or cable are employed. The fixedclamp, which may be in the form of vertically split jaws of usualtype,is dis- 100 posed adjacent to and serves to h old the rope or cable ator adjacent to the stationary shear blade, while the movable clamp isarranged for movement simultaneously with the movable shear blade andcarries the section of wire rope or cable with it as it is sheared.

In the drawings l represents the frame of the machine having a portion 2forming a cylinder for a ram or plunger 2l connected to and operating across-head or frame 3 carrying the movable shear blade, indicated at 4.The fixed shear blade is indicated at 5, and may be mounted ontheportion 6 of the frame. Between the portions 2 and 6 of the frame,space is left for the placement of the rope or cable to be sheared. Bothshear blades are recessed as indicated at 4 and 5a respectively; suchrecesses' approximating one half the diameter of the rope or cable to besheared and it will be understood that blades having recessesapproximating one-half the diameter of the rope or cable to be shearedwill be employed for the variously sized ropes or cables; such bladesbeing detachably mounted upon their respective supports or carriers.

The clamping means for the cable are arranged on opposite sides of theshear blades 4 and 5. The movable jaw of the so-called fixed clamp isindicated at 7, and the fixed jaw of such clamp is indicated at 8; thejaw,

7 being carried by a cross-head 7 of a frame 9 which includes a air ofcylinders 9 disposed for the receptlon of a. pair o f rams 9b andarranged alongside that part of the frame through which the ram 2,within the cylinder 2 extends, and which controls the operation of thecross-head or frame 3 carrying the movable shear blade 4.

The so-called movable clamp is mounted adjacent to the shear blades atthe side of the same opposite the so-called fixed clamp. This movableclamp is made up of a plurality of independently mounted jaws 10, 11, 12and 13, arranged to be held in clamping position with respect to therope or cable to be sheared; such jaws having beveled meeting faces andconcave surfaces for engagement with the ro or cable. The jaw 10 isremovably carrled by a head 14 adapted to a suitable slideway formed inthe frame of the machine and its outward movement is limited by a bolt15 connected tothe crosshead or carrier 3 for the movable shear blade.This jaw or clamping member 10 is adapted to a slideway in the head 14and may be held in place by means of side plates 10* secured to suchhead by screw bolts 10". The

jaws 11 and' 12 are pivotally connected at 11* and 12 respectivel tolevers 16 and 17 fulcrumed at 16 and 17,* to a sliding head 18 movablymounted with respect to the sliding head 14. The jaw 13 is removablysupported by a link 19 pivoted at 191` to the lever 17; such link beingdetachably connected to the lever 16 by a removable pin 20; such partsbeing secured together after the rope or cable to be sheared has beenpositioned within the jaws. The jaw 13 is mounted in a mannersubstantially like the jaw 10, and is retained in place by slide plates13'* secured to said link 19 by screw bolts 13b.

The head 18 is recessed to provide a cylinder 18a for the reception of aram or plunger 14 connected to the head 14; the opposite end of saidplunger being connected to a bolt 21 which extends through the head 14and is operatively associated with a spring 22 disposed between saidhead 18 and a collar 21EL on the outer end of such bolt. The function ofsaid spring is to hold this clamp in the open position as indicated inFig. 2. lWhen the clamp is to be closed, iiuid pressure may be admittedto the cylinder 188L via pipe a and reacting upon the end wall of thesame will cause the head 18 to move to the left bringing the clampingjaws into engagement with the rope and holdin the same until the clampas a whole is move by the cross-head carrying the movable shear blade.The closed position is shown in Fig. 1.

Carried by the foot or base of the head 14 I have provided adjustablemembers which may be in the form of threaded bolts 25 disposedlengthwise of the same. The ends 25 of these bolts, adjacent to themoving crosshead `carrying the movable shear blade 4 are so positionedthat when such movable shear blade begins its cut, the cross-head 3carrying the same contacts with the ends 25l of said bolts 25 andimparts movement to the sliding head 14 and the head 18 so that as thecut progresses these heads, which together support the movable clamp,move so that the clamp may carry the portion of rope or cable shearedfrom the section which is held by the fixed clamp; the movable sectionof which has moved simultaneously with the movable shear blade 4 or inadvance of such movement, so as to firmly clamp the rope or cable at theopposite side of said shear blades, as the cut progresses.

It will be understood, of course, that the several jaws 10, 11, 12 and13 are replaceable by other jaws whose contacting faces are recessed tosuch an extent as to properly conform to the rope or cable beingsheared. The levers 16 and 17 are pivotally carried by adjustable blocksso that when the jaws are changed their position with respect to therope to be clamped, may also be adjusted.

The rope or cable to be sheared is provided with a suitable wrappingadjacent to or at the point at which the cutis to be made, and in orderthat the clamps may be assisted in their holding action, I preferablyemploy Wedge-shaped inserts 26, as shown in Fig. 6, which may lie in thegrooves of the rope or cablebetween the respective strands of 2 orcable,

the same, as cleariy indicated in Figs. 7 and 8. If desired theseinserts may be employed at the point where the cable is cut and, ifnecessary, they may be tied in place.

5 The jaws of the movable clamp may be se arated by exhausting pressurefrom the cy inder 18'L thereby permitting the spring 22 to actupon thehead 18 carryin the levers 16'and 17 and link 19 to whic the 1 jaws 11,12 and 13 are operatively connected. The sheared section of rope orcable may be removed from the movable clamp after the pin 20 connectingthe link 19 and lever 16 has been removed so that said parts 5 may beopened, as indicated by dotted lines Fig. 2, or such sheared section maybe slid lengthwise ofthe same away from the clamp.

I claim:

1. In shearing mechanism for wire rope the combination of a fixed shearblade suitably supported, a movable shear blade, means for moving thesame with respect to the fixed shear blade, fixed clamping means for therope or cable to be sheared disposed on one side of said shear blades,and movable clamping means on the opposite side of said shear blades.

2. In shearing mechanism for wire rope or cable, the combination of afixed shear 3 blade suitably supported, a movable shear blade, means formoving the same with respect to the fixed shear blade, fixed clampingmeans for the rope or cable to be sheared disposed adjacent to the fixedshear blade, movable clamping means disposed adjacent to the movableshear blade, and means whereby said movable clamping means movessimultaneously with the movable shear blade.

3. In shearing mechanism for wire rope or cable, the combination of alixed shear blade suitably supported, a movable shear blade, means formoving the latter with respect to the fixed shear blade, a fixed clampfor the rope or cable disposed at one side of said shear blades, amovable clamp disposed at the opposite side of said shear blades andmeans whereby movement may be imparted to said movable clampsimultaneously with the shearing action.`

4. In shearing mechanism for wire rope or cable, the combination of afixed shear blade suitably supported, a movable shear blade, means formovinv' the latter with res ct to the fixed shear blade, a fixed clampir the rope or cable disposed at one side of said shear blades, amovable clamp disposed at the opposite side of said shear blades, acarrier for said movable clamp, and means whereby movement may beimparted to said carrier simultaneously with the shearing action.

5. In shearing mechanism for wire rope or cable, the combination of afixed shear blade suitably supported, a movable shear blade, means formoving the latter with respect to the fixed shear blade, a fixed clampor the rope or cable disposed at one side of said shear blades, a;movable clamp disposed at the opposite side of said shear blades, acarrier for said movable clamp, and adjustable means whereby movementmay be imparted to said carrier simultaneously with the shearing action.

6. In shearing mechanism for wire rope or cable, the combination ofshear blades mounted for operative action, clamping means for the ropeor cable to be cut including a movable clamp; said clamp being sectionalin form, means for holding a section of said clamp in relative positionwith respect to the rope or cable to be sheared, and means for movinganother of said sections with respect to the first-named section tocomplete the clamping action. 7. In shearing mechanism for wire rope orcable, the combination of shear blades mounted for relative movement andoperative action, a plurality of clamping means for the rope or cable tobe cut including a movable clamp; said clamp being sectional in form,means for holding a section of said clamp in relative position withrespect to the rope or cable to be sheared, and means for moving anotherof said sections with respect to the first-named section to complete theclamping action.

8. In shearing mechanism for Wire rope or cable, the combination ofshear blades mounted for relative movement and operative action, alurality of clamping means for the rope or ca le to be cut including amovable clamp; said movable clamp being sectional in form and one ofsaid sections occupying a substantially fixed position, means forholding a pluality of said sections in relative position with respect tothe rope or cable to be sheared, fluid pressure means for moving one ofsaid clamping sections with respect to another to complete the clampingaction, and spring actuated means for separating said clamping sections.

9. In shearing mechanism for wire rope or cable, the combination of afixed shear blade, a movable shear blade, means for moving the latterwith respect to the fixed shear blade, and movable clamping means forthe rope or cable to be sheared disposed at one side of said shearblades.

10. In shearing mechanism for Wire rope or cable, the combination of afixed shear blade, a movable shear blade, means for moving the latterwith respect to the fixed shear blade, movable clamping means for therope to be sheareddisposed at one side of said shear blades, and meanswhereby said mov- -able clamping means moves simultaneously with themovable shear blade.

11. In shearing mechanism for wire rope or cable, the combination of afixed shear` blade, a movable shear blade, means for moving the latterwith respect to the fixed shear blade, a movable clamp for the ro. e tobe sheared disposed at one side of said shear blades, and means wherebymovement may be imparted to said movable clamp simultaneousl with theshearing action.

12. or cable, the combination of a fixed shear blade, a movable shearblade, means for moving the latter with respect to the fixed shearblade, a movable clamp for the rope to be sheared disposed at one sideof said shear blades, a carrier for said movable clamp, and meanswhereby movement may be imparted to said carrier simultaneously with theshearing action.

13. In shearing mechanism for wire rope or cable, the combination of afixed shear blade, al movable shear blade, means for moving the latterwith respect to the fixed shear blade, a movable clamp for the rope tobe sheared disposed at one side of said shear blades, a carrier for saidmovable clamp, and adjustable means whereby movement may be imparted tosaid carrier simultaneously with the shearing action.

14. In shearing mechanism for wire rope or cable, the combination ofshearing blades, clamping means for the rope or cable, andshape-conforming inserts fitting the grooves of the rope or cable andcooperating with said clamping means during a cutting opera-- tion.

15. In shearing mechanism for wire rope or cable, the combination ofshearing blades, a plurality of clamping means en aging the cable onopposite sides of sai shearing blades, and shape-conforming insertsIitting the grooves of the rope or cable and cooperating with theseveral cable-engaging elements during a cuttin operation.

In witness whereof have signed this speciication.

HENRY A. STRINGFELLOW.

n shearing mechanism for wire rope

